Best Quote by Taavet Hinrikus
“At TransferWise, we started out as - and continue as - idealists. We start with what we can do to make things better and how we can solve problems, focusing on what people need. It turns out you can focus on building the best service and be successful as business.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: TransferWise founding story, 2011
The co‑founder describes starting with idealism, focusing on solving real needs, and discovering that building excellent service leads to business success.
In simple terms: Idealism plus practical service creates success.
Key Takeaway
Align purpose with user needs.
Themes
idealism
service
entrepreneurship
customer focus
innovation
Mood
optimistic
pragmatic
inspirational
Type
business
motivational
reflective
When to use this quote
- launching a startup
- product development
- customer support
- market expansion
Key Concepts
Business ethics
lean startup
human‑centered design
Questions to Reflect On
- What user need can you solve today?
- How can you balance idealism with profitability?
A Different Perspective
Idealism alone isn’t enough without execution and market fit.
